Awareness=Answers

Based on the comments you’ve posted and the emails you’ve sent us, many of you have the same questions.

Q: Who is responsible for the deaths?

A: Right now, the focus needs to be on the victims. In all but one case, the files are closed and the death is considered “accidental”.  We are going case by case and looking for evidence to prove the death wasn’t accidental. If there is proof, we present it to law enforcement.

Q: What is your goal?

A: I want to continue working with experts to look at these cases on an individual basis.  In cases where there is evidence of homicide, I want to convince law enforcement to reopen the case. In addition, there needs to be better training for investigators to deal with drowning cases. There needs to be “best practices” so that water can no longer be used to mask murder.

Q: If the victims were drugged, wouldn’t it show up in the autopsy?

A: Since these victims aren’t found for weeks or months, drugs, like GHB, would not show up on a traditional toxicology screen.

Q: What are some common denominators with the victims?

A: The young men are generally the same age, similar physical appearances and high athletic and/or academic achievements.   Frequently, the victim’s belongings (cell phone, wallet, baseball cap) are found in the opposite direction from the water where the body is recovered.  In some cases, a personal item is discovered on a street or in a park days after search crews combed the area.

Q: Do these always happen in the winter?

A:  The majority of the victims disappear between September and May.

Q: Can you list the victims?

A: On the top of this page are some links to other pages –  “the victims,” will take you to a list of drowning victims